In 1997, I traded a Suzuki GSX600 for a new TL1000S because I hated the way the inline 4 had to be rung out to get the best from it. That thumping V-Twin was amazing. I loved it. I fitted lower fairings to it and straight pipes. Awesome bike. Never had any sketchy moments with it and I used to hang off the side through the twisties, like you do when you’re young and daft. I ride a Harley and a GS now, but still have a soft spot for TL❤
Loving the used bike reviews. Not everyone can afford new machinery so this is extremely relevant and fantastic content. Especially in a post COVID world. Thank you for making these videos.
I had a red '97 TLS, ooooh that booming sound from twin Yoshimura cans. Car alarms, beware. Now I have a V-Strom 1000 which has hydraulic clutch but you can still see the TL's cable clutch boss on the V-Strom engine casting...the lovely TLS engine lives on.
Loved its successor the SV1000S, had mine for 9 years and it made 108bhp at the back wheel on the jhs dyno. Power commander and yoshi pipes. Lovely sound
I still have my SV1000 K3 naked after 17 years. Has a PC3, a TRE and a remap but only a pair of cans with the original headers. It's a great allrounder, so I see little point in changing it for another bike. At 65, I'll likely croak before it does anyway.
I have a 650 now and I’m torn what to get what I get my full licence. SV1000, and mod the suspension to improve the handling Or buy a 1000cc supersport with already sorted suspension. I guess it’s a low end vs top end dilemma
@@CrazyPanda688 the sv1000 handles absolutely fine why would you need to modify it it was the TL that used to lock up the back end even that you'd have to be really pushing it to get it to do that.
I have a TL1000R and it is a fun bike to have. The suspension needs setting up properly to handle right (I do have a replacement rear shock which helps), but it is still more than quick enough for the roads with its awesome revy V-twin engine. I keep getting nice comments about it as there are not many around, and my nephew likes it more than my trick race bike. Its definitely a keeper.
I've had mine now for 3 years. If I'm honest it's been hideously unreliable but I still love it. So much character. Not much hasn't been replaced on it but I did buy it as a project.
@@stichupman I feel like an RSV Mille would’ve been more reliable, had one for 3 1/2 years and it never needed to go into a shop unless valve clearances,oil changes etc
@@johnfherron not had many problems with the damper myself but I've calmed down a lot. I've no longer got a death wish haha. I do toy with getting rid of mine but I still enjoy it.
@@NudaMan Yup, as a former TLS and Mille owner, I found the Italian to be much more reliable. The problem with the RSV Mille/R is finding a clean one for sensible money these days. They did fall in value a few years back and ended up crashed and patched up with whatever fairings could be found on eBay, regardless of year or colour scheme. They all use a bit of oil (crankcase breather arrangement expels quite a bit of oil vapour) but the Rotax built V60 is said to be bombproof if looked after.
I purchased one of the first gen versions in the mid 90’s for my road bike as I was racing a GSXR-750 at that time. No matter what I did, it was just unsettled when pushed hard in corners. It was factory recalled twice and I ended up trading it in on the fully faired version which was said to have had the suspension issues sorted. Not the case, however just the sound alone was music to the ears. Thanks for the memories. 👍😎🇦🇺
I have a 97 and i cant part with it, got her for 1500 quid in lockdown 1.0, 34k miles. ABSOLUTE STONKER. Always good to see fresh content appreciating these fairly rare bikes
Not a bad price, the used market has been ridiculous. Dealers have been asking four to five grand for old Mille's - and that's for a base Mille not an R! I still miss the motor of my '97... I don't miss the unpredictable handling issues and all the problems I had with it.
My 1997 TL1000s never killed me once, though I did have to replace/rebuild the rotary damper unit which eventually overheats and stops doing it's job if you're riding at racing paces due to being way too close to the rear cylinder exhaust header. The power delivery was smooth enough to allow power slides, which did nearly kill me once I moved to the CBR1000rr with that bad habit. Excellent video, and thank you for the memories!
@@BikeWorldTVshow just loved my old Tl, hope your planning more 90’s bikes test Zzr600……old air fzr600… RGV 250. Sorry little bias with that list. Thx again
Nostalgia.. Bought a '97 red model with the full fairing before I got my driving license. Looked stunning and when the previous owner turned it on, I had to have it :) Thought with all the widow maker stories that if I could learn to ride that, I could ride anything. Got older and wiser, luckily but loved it and still sometimes puts a smile on my face thinking about those days. That one, the vtr1000 and the Rsv Mille were dream bikes to me. Always great to watch your interesting reviews and great riding skills!
I loved mine - original ‘97 bike - and I still remember how it felt to ride it away from the showroom. I still love that noise. The problems were less to do with the rotary damper and more to do with the tyres available at the time. The late genius Jon Robinson at Performance Bikes serpent a long time trying to figure out what the problem was with the TL’s stability, but eventually pointed most of the blame at the tyres of the era. One day my bike went in for a service and never came back; the scissor gears had started to break up and had dumped a load of swarf into the crankcase. This was not uncommon apparently. I think I got a ZX-7R next…good times!
That's awesome! I had a 97' TL1000S and it was my favorite bike (lots of bikes in between), until my 17' KTM Super Duke R, which is the perfect bike for me. Cool to hear someone else coming to the same conclusion!! There's nothing on the market I'd rather have than an SDR. Cheers
My friend has a Superhawk 996, and his little brother has this! Awesome seeing how both brands were taking friendly competition seriously and we all win because of it! I'll take both.
Had one identical to that back in 2002, wasn't immaculate but rode it every day, for 18 months, it did everything I wanted and took everything I could throw at it.... seriously underrated bike!
I had a shot of my friends years ago, nice bike. These retro sport bikes are deffo worth having. I still have my 1998 blade, 24 yrs old and still an amazing bike even today.
Great stuff its a bike definitely on my list and a TLR maybe next year... i can remember going to bike meets on my RS250 when they first were released to the public and listening to them ride past they sound like thunder
my first "big bike" was an original SV650S in the bright candy blue. It's amazing how many things appear almost identical on the TL1000S to the SV! The dash, engine casings, swing arm, frame, tank shape, and even the fairing style to a large extent is so so similar. I'm currently riding a gen2 Tuono but there's something about the TL that makes me prefer it - maybe it's just the nostalgia Great video. I'm jealous. I would love to have a go on a TL
@@zedddddful I love my Tuono. The only thing I'd change about it is the fuel range. It's annoying for long trips around the Peak District and Lakes etc. Super Duke GT next year I think, just for that reason.
@@TheSd1cko yeah it's a thirsty old girl that's for sure I couldn't part with mine now none of the new bikes interest me too expensive too much power too many electronics.
@@zedddddful I will be sorry to see her go that's for sure. There's no sense ine having 2 bikes though, but I'm starting to sport tour a lot more with my 14 year old son on the back, so the Tuono is getting less and less practical for that. I'm hoping the Super Duke side will give me the fun and handling of the Tuono that I want to keep and the GT side the stuff I'm missing from the Tuono. 🤞
I have a TL1000S. A 1997 version that I've owned since new. I wasn't quite sure how bad the rear damper was, until the swing arm boss broke off. When I was forced to install a coil-over rear damper, I learned how good a TL could handle. I still own that bike. It is a great handling bike, with the right rear shock in use. I have three bikes, each more modern than the TL, but none as fun. The rear damper replacement transformed that bike from descent, to great. Btw-it is a wheelie machine, and the gear drive cams make it sound great. The reach to the bars seems a little long. I have a gsxr1000 ans a ZRX 1200. The TL1000S is more fun. No low end. Rev the hell out of it, and it is good. An adjustable steering damper is a good idea too (Mine is a toby) Without it it is a head shaker.
I had ordered a plane ticket and was going to pick up a TL1000R the following day, but then... Seller calls me and says his brother borrowed the bike and it's totalled. There were far and few between any good used bikes at the time so I had to bail on it sadly. Ended up with a GSXR 1000 K3 instead which did put a smile on my face for sure.
Keep the chain at about 30mm slack while sitting on the bike . Keep in mind the chain will tighten a little when you cinch up the axle nut . If its tighter than 30 mm the chain tightens as the suspension compresses and could destroy the countershaft bearing . Had mine since 02 .
I was a mechanic in Colorado when these came out. Suzuki did a recall on the steering damper and also had a recall with the ignition module thinking that was causing some weird vibration for the head shake. They also recalled the gas tanks as they were cracking and causing fuel leaks. These bikes are cool but what a pain they are to do practically anything other than routine maintenance.
Still got my '97 Tl1000S (with the six pots, braided lines, yoshimura open system, K&N filter and Ohlins rear). That sort of torquey hooliganism is exactly my flavour of fun. My other bikes are a 1991 GSXR 7/12, an '85 RZ350R (for something completely different) and a 2018 KTM Superduke 1290.
I don't see anything wrong with the six pots, I've also got a 750 gixer with 4 pots, both are good. Although I do have a brembo master cylinder on the gixer
Had one years ago apart from breaking two frames in the same place where the rotary damper fitted it was a brilliant bike loved every minute of owning it
The 1037cc lump in the TL is still in use by Suzuki in the current generation V-Strom 1050 range. A lovely, smooth and understressed V-Twin that will go and go and go!
Got rid of the shot bitubo on my S and installed a Hyperpro shock and wow what a difference . Way better than the bitubo when itwas new .Also after 21 years of ownership I finally swapped out the injectors for near new ones . Good increase in power and torque ,very noticable .
I had a ‘98 TL1000R in the early 2000s.. and I have just bought another 2 days ago! It’s a 1999 RX model, 15k miles..blue/white. Excited for delivery next week 😊
I've owned a green '97 one for 13 years now. A power commander smooths out low down, I can ride mine around town without slipping the clutch. With all the right mods these are awesome bikes. They just need to increase in value a bit more now please! 😀
I've got a TL S and took the steering damper off right from the off. I did change the rear damper for a Bitubo one. I never had a single head shake. Love mine.
I had a Cagiva Raptor 1000 with this same Suzuki V2 1000cc engine, amazing bike, much better than TL 1000s frame/brake/suspension wise, high performance naked bike. 🤙 The engine was a very good one.
Suzuki's USD front ends from the mid 90's onwards on modern tyres will Rock! I ran a 750SRAD through 3 generation changes of tyre tech and know what we have now vs 15 year ago or 20+ years since OEM rubbers abilities were sold with the bike new as designed, gaining a reputation, that modern tyres will solve. You'll love it!. The power commander with dyno session really helped on 1gen ECU's, they were 8K and Suzuki were using 16K only 2 years later on other lesser bikes, time as they say moved on quickly for 1gen electronics. The best improvement was that fueling connection you speak of on those really small throttle percentage settings. That fueling niggle you feel less than 2% of the time you ride will tune easily by ~80% with the PC install.What she will always be is a Vee twin, so if the motor gets grumpy after that, its wrong gear lazy rider 404 error connection. She'll do you proud and you'll report in 2 years "What was the fuss about?"
The first year bikes had a different ECU, they made a few extra hp, but Suzuki changed it due to possibly rinsing the oil off the bores - with the changed ECU it fueled better, but was less gung ho. Had a full Akrapovic on mine and I really loved it, the rotary damper was heavy and intruded on an otherwise good handling bike - thanks for the memories 👍🙂
Yeah, my '97 used to fill the sump with fuel. The way the cooling system was set up meant that it hardly ever got off the cold map, so it always ran very rich
@@MrSlurry relocating the temperature sensor from the radiator to the thermostat housing fixes that. That was one of the changes Suzuki made on 1998 on models. I've had a '97 green one for 13 years, absolute keeper. I love it 👍
@@trevorphillips3055 yeah, I ended up relocating the temp sensor, changing the thermostat and housing and fitting a water pump cover with a bypass from an SV. After that it ran ok
Had a 97 full power green one for years. Art race cans sounded lovely. I had the standard rotary damper fitted and steering damper with no handing scares. It would happily scratch around on decent roads. Throw it on its ear and be rough with the throttle on a bumpy road and it would get upset. Do the same on an R1 from the same era and that would try to kill you as well. Lovely bikes, never got to try the TL1000R
I had a red '98 TL1000S with open cans, it was absolutely mental, a true hooligan's bike if there ever was one. Easy to ride fast in the twisties because of the wave of torque, supplemented by the efficient engine brake. Now if I could only find a decent white-wheeled TL1000R... 😉
my 3rd bike !!!! was amazing back then...commuting uk-germany every week I found it somewhat cramped so ended up going zzr route 11 with 750tops, then 12, then 14. What a great bike for the money though
Why can't anything from Japan look this beautiful today? What's wrong with beautiful aesthetics? Where's the curves? Where's the useful subframes? Where's the explorative engine configurations?
cracking bike,had a black 97 with the rotary damper and never had any trouble although i did change my TLR rear shock which did help but hardly noticeable unless really going for it,i'd get another tomorrow if i had the dosh!
I test rode one of these for a laugh once, I ran out of fuel on the M5 I was enjoying it so much. I got my gf at the time to get a loan so I could buy it and I still have it now, with it's Yoshi RS3s. It's given me lots of memories. I thought the clutch was shot for a while, but it was just spinning up the knackered rear tyre. I've never popped such a massive accidental wheelie as when I had a small front sprocket on it, looked cool as hell but wasn't expected and mid overtake was a bit sketchy. I also rode it for about a year without the rotary damper attached as the bolts kept falling out, was springy as hell. I removed the stainless numberplate bolts and used plastic to keep it stock looking, and they promptly snapped from vibration and I lost the plate. You can buy real carbon parts for the bike now from the states, check eBay. Lots of fun, and one I'll never sell.
Loved the look of these when they came out and always fancied one. Bought one about 5 or 6 years ago and not used it as much as i'd have liked to. Not in as good condition as that one, mine is in yellow, but know those roads well as only live a couple of miles away. Might keep mine for a couple of years but gutted I sold my 97 Fireblade to get it. Should have kept them both.
I love my tls, 97 model with the R1 rear damper conversion, can be seen thrashing around on trackdays 😁 Compares well to my 2003 rsv mille, nicer on the road than the aprilia which really needs to be riden hard.
I have three TLR one I've have from new 1998 I also have a TLS 1997 the one you where riding looks like an import with that headlight and might not be 125hp after all the problems with the TLS the brains were changed this made them a bit more mellow the brain is tuneable with a YOSHI box ps all my have rotary dampers cheers from Cornwall 🏴👍😀💯
Clutch killers. Such a heavy clutch too, swapped mine for the hydraulic one from the tlr which helped. There's a plate mod too from memory to reduce clutch burn out, but makes it heavier.
I owned one for a few years, scared the crap out of me. When cornering you’d feel or think the front end was about to give out, but then the opposite would happen as the rear wheel would twitch instead. Was frightening. But sounded freckn awesome! And the power was continuous up to 266kph
@@brobinson8614 I had a parallel import '97, which didn't get the recalls that official UK bikes got, and it was a pussycat. Yes really, it does that cat thing of being easy and friendly... And then turning round to bite you for no apparent reason! That was the problem, it was unpredictable and had next to zero forgiveness in the handling. Bought a Mille and stopped crashing...
My dad had a TL1000 for a while when I was a wee lad, and it was an absolute bastard! My feet spent more time up by his head than they did on the pegs, hanging on for dear life! Much to his amusement.
Had my tl1000s 97 model 10 years. Running rotary shock,race techs,viper cans. Gen 1 with the vicious pickup. Broke my collar bone on cold tyres. Still kept it. My other bikes are 06zx10 ,99 tl1000s, RGV250 banana, IT175 ,Honda c100 1963.
Good review. Always wanted one had the rrx instead at that time mainly due to the rear shock on the TL. Have a Gsx 1400 now cos I'm old. I would say good price on your TL but blooming heck you should stick new good tyres on before selling a bike like that if they are squared off.
I have a 1998 bike. Come from a MT10SP and V4 Aprillia. Feels slow by comparison but it's still plenty fast enough. Love the linear power delivery at revs all the way to the red line. Wheelies? Hell yeah. Do I like it? Hell yeah. Completely agree on the fake carbon. 🤮 It's not just a great bike for the price. It's a great bike. I'd would suggest I have at least as much fun as the newer bikes if not more. All at a fraction of the price.
Had one of these. Spat me off unexpectedly one day. The thing about that rear suspension is it would behave itself and cause a sense of complacency and then suddenly it would turn.
I have a red TL1000s of the 1997 . I love the bike ; she's beautifull , powerfull , intemporal and the sound of V-Twin is a sinfony. For me ; is the ultimate bike.
I had a 99 on a T in black and loved was still fairly to bikes so never really pushed its limits and found no bother with suspension but did weigh 20 Stone, would love another now more experienced
those lines are still sexy, even compared to the latest sportsbikes. Suzuki has carried them on to the moto gp machines and absolutely love them for it
Now we are talking Chris! Havent watched the review yet but have to say this is the one bike I regret selling. Don't get me wrong the handling could be a bit wayward and I ended up on the wrong side of the road more times than I care to mention and I was forever locking up the back wheel coming to a stop but really miss it and would love to buy another while the prices arent stupid.
I agree, this is the one bike i regret selling too. Like you I had my fair share of issues with the handling but loved the character n feel of the engine..... I even loved it more than my then SP1 which is saying something, please do get one while you can. I really miss it, but very unlikely to find another one in India
